Edo poll: PDP, LP, Yiaga Africa, others reject election result, demand review
…It was not an election, but a transaction – Akpata decries voter apathy, vote-buying
…Independent observer group raises concerns over election integrity
…A blatant example of state capture – Obi condemns election outcome
Controversy has continued to surround the Edo State gubernatorial election as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Yiaga Africa and other stakeholders reject the results, alleging rigging and manipulation.
Tensions rise as they demand a review, casting a shadow over the election’s credibility and Nigeria’s democratic future.
Recall that Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat PDP’s AsueIghodalo, who came second with 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s OlumideAkpata, who emerged third with 22, 763 votes.
The opposition party, PDP, rejected the outcome of the Edo state governorship election, alleging rigging and manipulation by the All Progressives Congress and government-controlled agencies.
The Acting national chair of the PDP, Umar Damagum, asked the INEC to review the results.
He said, “It is with a deep sense of burden and serious concern for our democracy and political stability of our dear nation that I address you today.
“From unfolding political events in the country, the latest being the brazen rigging of the Saturday, September 21, 2024, Edo state governorship election by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in connivance with government-controlled agencies, it is clear that our democracy is under threat.”
He added, “The PDP unequivocally rejects the final result of the Edo State Governorship election as declared by INEC as it did not meet the minimum standard for democracy having not reflected the will and aspiration of the people in line with provisions of the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC Guidelines for State Governorship election.
“The people of Edo state chose Dr. AsueIghodalo as the next Governor of their State and only their Will as expressed at the Polling Units must be allowed to stand,” Damagum said.
He also stated, “The PDP demands that INEC, within the time stipulated by section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022, review the Edo State governorship election and announce results only as obtained from the genuine votes cast at the polling units.”
The PDP has called on all Nigerians and lovers of democracy to stand in solidarity with the people of Edo state in rejecting the alleged assault on democratic rights.
“The PDP will take steps to retrieve the mandate with every means legal and available in a democracy,” Damagum said.
…It was not an election, but a transaction – Akpata decries voter apathy, vote-buying
In a related development, Labour Party candidate, OlumideAkpata, alleged that the election was not a democratic process but a transaction.
“Let us be clear, what transpired on 21 September 2024 was not an election but a transaction. It is shocking that the electorate were willing to sell their votes,” Akpata remarked.
He also criticised the low voter turnout, which he believes contributed to the worst-case scenario.
“To those who sold their votes, we extend our understanding, not condemnation. We acknowledge the crushing economic hardships that many of you face daily — hardships that make the immediate relief of vote-selling seem like a lifeline. Yet, this short-term gain comes at an immense long-term cost.”
Akpata expressed concern that some of his own supporters and agents were involved in vote-selling, which he believes has dire implications for Edo State’s future.
“A troubling theme emerged on election day — a widespread vote-buying scheme orchestrated by both the All Progressives Congress and the People’s Democratic Party.”
The Labour Party candidate has submitted the election results to his legal team for forensic analysis and will decide on the next course of action after reviewing the report.
…Independent observer group raises concerns over election integrity
Meanwhile, Yiaga Africa, an independent observer group, has raised concerns over the integrity of the Edo state governorship election results.
Despite the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaring Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner, Yiaga Africa alleges widespread manipulation of the election results.
“The PRVT enables Yiaga Africa to independently assess the quality of Election Day processes and verify the accuracy of the official election results as announced by INEC. Yiaga Africa has successfully deployed this methodology in two Presidential elections and 16 off-cycle governorship elections,” Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo said.
Yiaga Africa’s findings indicated inconsistencies in the official results announced by INEC, with disparities in the vote shares of the APC, PDP, and LP.
“The official results announced by INEC for APC in Oredo and Egor, LGAs fall outside the PRVT estimate. In Esan West LGA, the official results for PDP fall outside the PRVT estimates. Also, in Oredo LGA, the official results as announced for LP fall outside the PRVT estimates.
“These inconsistencies with Yiaga Africa’s PRVT estimates indicate that the results were altered at the level of collation. The disparities between the official results released by INEC and Yiaga Africa’s PRVT estimates indicate manipulation of results during the collation process,” the statement added.
Yiaga Africa condemned the actions of some biased INEC officials and security officials who interfered with the collation process.
“Yiaga Africa condemns the actions of some biased INEC officials who altered figures during collation including the actions of some security officials who interfered with the collation process,” said the statement.
However, an INEC official stated that Yiaga Africa’s statement cannot be used as a basis to judge the election, as there are mechanisms for aggrieved parties and other legal channels to explore.
“Yiaga Africa’s statement cannot be used as a basis to judge the election. There are mechanisms for aggrieved parties and other legal channels to explore,” said the official.
…A blatant example of state capture — Obi condemns election outcome
In the same vein, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, equally denounced the recent Edo State off-cycle governorship election as an example of “state capture.”
“A blatant example of state capture and continued gross undermining of our democratic process and values. Any nation whose leadership recruitment process is so fatally flawed is doomed, and we are all seeing the effect in our country,” Obi said.
Obi urged those in authority not to allow this situation to stand, or depend on it to remain in power.
He emphasised that Nigeria had invested significantly in the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV), which must be allowed to function and used properly in order to free the electoral process from the “massive falsification that has plagued it and worsening.”
Obi also addressed the agencies and individuals being used to undermine democracy, reminding them that their time in office is not eternal.
